indirect

in·di·rect

adj \ˌin-də-ˈrekt, -(ˌ)dī-\

Definition of INDIRECT

: not direct: as a (1) : deviating from a direct line or course : roundabout (2) : not going straight to the point <an indirect accusation> (3) : being or involving proof of a proposition or theorem by demonstration that its negation leads to an absurdity or contradiction b : not straightforward and open : deceitful c : not directly aimed at or achieved <indirect consequences> d : stating what a real or supposed original speaker said with changes in wording that conform the statement grammatically to the sentence in which it is included <indirect discourse> <an indirect question> e : not effected by the action of the people or the electorate <indirect government representation>

— in·di·rect·ly \-ˈrek(t)-lē\ adverb

— in·di·rect·ness \-nəs\ noun

Examples of INDIRECT

1. We took an indirect route.
2. These plants grow best in bright indirect light.
3. He gave only vague, indirect answers to our questions.
4. They used indirect methods of investigation.
5. There were many indirect references to his earlier books.
6. Looking at her watch was her indirect way of telling him it was time to leave.
7. Poor nutrition may have been an indirect cause of the disease.
8. The cigarette stubs were indirect evidence that someone had been smoking in the room.
9. “He said that he would call later,” is an example of indirect speech since his actual words were “I'll call later.”
10. an indirect question such as “She asked whether the doctor had arrived”

Origin of INDIRECT

Middle English, from Medieval Latin indirectus, from Latin in- + directus direct — more at dress

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to INDIRECT

Synonyms: circuitous, circular, roundabout

Antonyms: direct, straight, straightforward

Related Words: crooked, curvy, serpentine, sinuous, tortuous, twisting, winding; meandering, rambling, wandering; circumlocutory, long-winded, prolix, verbose; deceitful, deceptive, devious, dishonest, duplicitous, insidious, misleading, sneaky, underhand, underhanded; calculating, crafty, cunning, subtle, tricky

Near Antonyms: candid, forthright, frank, honest, open, plain, unconcealed, undisguised

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Rhymes with INDIRECT

acrolect, architect, birth defect, circumspect, deselect, dialect, disaffect, disconnect, disinfect, disrespect, edge effect, genuflect, grapholect, incorrect, in effect, intellect, interject, intersect, introject, introspect, lake effect, misdirect, preselect, re-collect, recollect, redirect, reelect, resurrect, retrospect, self-respect, side effect, turtlenecked, vivisect